Use 1. We learn hence not to be discouraged in our greatest ex- tremities, when all temporal hopes seem to fail, and we have nothing
2 ThES. II. 8.] THE SIXTH SERMON. 65
left us but the word of our testimony. Let us not distrust our spiritual weapons, for they are mighty through God to bring down all the strong- holds of sin and Antichrist, 2 Cor. x. 4, 5. Oh, encourage yourselves in the Lord ; you have the merit of his humiliation, and the power of his exaltation. Merit, what cannot the blood of Christ do to fetch off men from their inveterate prejudices and superstitions? 1 Peter i. 18, ' We are redeemed by the blood of Christ from our vain conversa- tion.' So, for the power of his exaltation, there is his Spirit. The success of his Spirit on the pouring out of the first sermon, Acts ii. 41, fetched in 3000 souls that had imbrued their hands in the blood of their Saviour, and were in no very devout posture at that time. His word, that is, ' The rod of his strength,' Ps. ex. 2, which hath a mighty power to convince, transform, and convert souls: Rom. i. 16, ' For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, which is the power of God unto salvation.' Then there is the power of providence ; all judgment is put into Christ's hands for the advancement of his own kingdom, John v. 22. If all be in Christ's hands, why should you dis- trust your cause, or the success of it ?
2. If you would defend yourselves, and wound the enemy, be much acquainted with ' the word of God, which is the sword of the Spirit,' Eph. vi. 17 ; thereby you may ward off every blow of a temptation. Surely then we should be much acquainted with this word, that it may dwell in us richly, that we may have it ready ; this is enough to make wise the simple for all necessary duties and defence.
3. Pray heartily that the word of God may have a free course, 2 Thes. iii. 1, and that God would send forth labourers into his harvest, Mat. ix. 38.
Secondly, The final destruction of Antichrist: and destroy him hy the hrightness of his coming. This coming is most likely to be the coming of Christ, so often mentioned : 2 Thes. i. 7, 8, * When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven, with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on those that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ ;' 2 Thes. ii. 1-3, ' Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, nor be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.' Others conceive some notable manifestation of his presence and power in his church ; but this would engage us in many dark prophecies, which I shall not meddle withal (intending only a doc- trinal discovery of Antichrist), as how long before his coming, by what means. Sure I am, that at his coming, 'The beast and false prophet shall be slain, and cast into the lake of fire,' Rev. xix. 20 ; but for other things, I have not light enough certainly to define that the utter ruin of Antichrist is not to be expected till the second coming of Christ.
Use. Be not discouraged though Antichrist yet remain after all the endeavours against him.
It is enough that antichristianism shall be finished and finally de- stroyed ; and for the time refer it to God. If it be not till the day of judgment, or Christ's final conquest over all his adversaries, you must be contented to tarry for that, as well as for other things.
VOL. III. K
66 THE SEVENTH SERMON. [2 ThES. II. 9, 10.
SERMON VII.
Even him whose coming is afler the tcorking of Satan, ivith allpoioer, and signs, and lying tco7idcrs, and ivith all dcceivableness of unright€0us7iess in them that perish ; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. — 2 Thes. II. 9, 10.
We have considered the titles of Antichrist, his nature and properties, the time of his rise, and with it his ruin ; now we are to consider the way and means how he doth acquire and keep up this power in the world.
The means are — (1.) Principal ; (2.) Instrumental.
1. Principal : kut ivepyetav too SaTava, — after the working of Satan.
2. Instrumental, which are also two : —
[1.] Pretence of miracles : with all poiver, signs, and lying ivonders.
[2.J Other cheats and impostures : loith all deceivableness of un- righteousness ; their general way of dealing being sophistical and falla- cious. Let us a little explain these things.
1. The great agent in setting up this kingdom : ' After the working of Satan.' It may note the manner, as we render after, that is, in such a way as Satan deceived our first parents, ' for he was a murderer and a liar from the beginning,' John viii. 44 ; ' I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve by his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity which is in Christ,' 2 Cor. xi. 3. So all this mystery of iniquity shall be carried on after this manner : by deceit, by the tricks of lying men, and the works of deceiving spirits. Rather it noteth Satan's agency and influence, and after, or according to the working of Satan, is as much as by the working of Satan, noting not only his pattern, but his influence ; so is Kara often rendered, and the energy of the devil, and influence upon all wickedness is spoken of elsewhere : Eph. ii. 2, ' The spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.' The devil hath a great hand over wicked men in the world; his way of dealing with them is most efficacious and powerful, and certainly he is the first founder and main supporter of the auti- christian state.